Kathy and Jerry Amrhein

Share This Page

Kathy and Jerry Amrhein were touched by Make-A-Wish® Michigan when their son, Robert, was granted a wish in 2004 when he was 16 years old. Robert, who had osteosarcoma, wished to go to the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. After their son passed away, the couple wanted to help share the power of a wish® with other families.

“After Robert lost his battle with osteosarcoma, we wanted to give back to the organization that provided so much joy to our son and many wonderful memories for our family,” Kathy said. “We saw firsthand the power of a wish and wanted to be part of making wishes happen for other wish children and their families.”

Kathy, a former human resources director, has been volunteering with Make-A-Wish Michigan for two years. Jerry, a pharmacist, has been a volunteer for about a year and a half. Together, they have volunteered as wish granters, for the Wish-A-Mile® Bicycle Tour, for the Macy's Believe campaign and for the Build-A-Bear Workshop® Valentine’s Day campaign. Jerry also rode in the WAM 50 in 2014.

“It is very rewarding to see the joy and hope in the faces of our wish children and their families and to be a small part in making their wish a reality,” Kathy said. “Another benefit is that we have met many wonderful people!”

As wish-granting volunteers, Kathy and Jerry take extra care to help make sure each wish child’s experience is special.

When they are not volunteering for Make-A-Wish Michigan, Kathy and Jerry like to spend their time traveling, biking, cooking and swimming.

They find it rewarding to be able to work together to share the Make-A-Wish mission with others.

“Make-A-Wish Michigan is a wonderful organization that makes a positive impact in the lives of children who are battling life-threatening medical conditions and their families,” Kathy said. “We are privileged to be a part of this organization.”

After Robert lost his battle with osteosarcoma, we wanted to give back to the organization that provided so much joy to our son and many wonderful memories for our family.
”